The whistle blew, and the match began.
And with it, Ethan's understanding of the word "speed" was rendered completely obsolete.
Quantum FC did not play football.
They operated. They were a flawless, high-frequency network of gold and black shirts, moving with a speed and precision that was simply not human.
The ball was a blur, a white streak zipping between players in a series of perfect, first-time passes. Ping. Ping. Ping.
The Apex players, who had built their reputation on an aggressive, high-energy press, couldn't get within five yards of the ball. They were chasing ghosts in a hurricane.
"AND WE ARE OFF!" GridironGuru's voice boomed through the Colosseum, a sound of pure, unadulterated arrogance.
"And look at the movement from my boys in gold! That's what you call 'Total Football', ladies and gentlemen! Quick, one-touch passing, constant rotation... it's a beautiful sight to behold!"
On the pitch, the Apex players were in a state of shock.
